Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-02-04
CONGRESSIONAL MATTERS.


WASuiNGTON, Feb. 2-Mr. Allison,
chairman of the committee on appropria-
tions, said to day the regular estimates OF
the departments rs submitted by the sec
rctary of the treasury amounted Gn round
numbers) to S3i6, 900 GOO Since that time
there had been supplementary estimates
amounting to Il considerable sum. so that
the total of the estimates for the neXt is-
cal year (without including miscellaneous
appropriations amounted to 1906, 100000.
Mr.. Platt asked if these estimates of S395,-
100000 included any considerable amount
of coast defences.
Mr.. Allison replied that they included
only $5,0O,000 for Notifications. MIR.
Allison went on to analyze the various
sources Of revenue from whcn he sur
missed that the total receipts of the GOV.
erumcnt for the year would be S4l00OO,OO0,
| leaving a surplus of only Sl5, 100000, pro
vlded the full amount called for in the es-
Inmates should be appropriated.
M Teller said there were plenty Of wise
opportunities to pay out OF the treasury
/ the excess of revenue that was now there
and all that would come in next year even
il there should be a surplus of 500 00O, 600
A few days ago the admiral of the navy
had sent to distinguished member Of the
House, a letter in which the astounding
! statement was made that the United
States government had got only one ship
that could in three months do service and
only one single gun. The Dolphin was
the only vessel that the government had
which could be put to sea within three
months. And yet some persons were cry
ing out against the surplus III the treas
ury. The country was without fOrtifica-
tions ON the coast, all the great sea
: ports of the country could be
raded by any fifth rate naval power,
by Chilli, China, Japan or Spain. Not
only that, but every city on the great
lakes was equally exposed. Under the
, treaty with Great Britain the United
States had agreed to keep upon these
lakes out one war vessel and he under
stood that vessel to day had only one cast
iron gun which was used to announce the
rising and setting of the sun and wa:
scarcely good for that. England could
! put on the great lakes fleet which cOulC
destroy every town on those lakes in 2.
hours. BY the Welland canal Euglanc
r had access to the locks and could seuC
three iron clads and war vessels and bonn
, bard Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and al
the great cities of the lakes. Was it wis
A dom therefore, or was it worth while 70
h the Senate to spend Its time in determlu
+ ing where there should be reduction o
e the revenue when there was a necessit
e for such vast expenditure
Mr.. Nc Adoo of New Jersey introduced
j. Il oll4 III Vue ilouse W prov itie lOl uhe uitu
. ufacture OF first class modern guns TO
J, navy and sea coast defence and it was re
ferred to the committee on military at
Il fairs. The bill appropriates 520000,0O0 t
a be expended under the control of the sec
} retary OF the navy and of war in the col
# struction and manufacture Of moder
first class ordinance for the use of tn
- navy and for sea coast Notifications an
d detenceS. The two secretaries are direct
d ed to call together Il board consisting
Il six persons, two of whom shall be civil
ians, who shall advise with the secretare
e as to the quality, kind aud number {
-; guns that should be Immediately MANI
q featured. The secretaries are empowere
to enter into contract for the manufactul
W of these guns and are directed to report
each session of Congress a fun, minut
n and detailed statement of every step takel
1t is require tnat the guns shall be {
4 American manufacture.